Automatic coffee urn and control therefor



Jan 19, 1954 H. E. KAMINKY AUTOMATIC COFFEE URN AND CONTROLv THEREF'OR SfSheets-Sheet l Filed June 8, 1949 N..mH N.

l.. Stili Jam 19, 1954 H. E. KAMINKY AUTOMATIC COFFEE URN AND CONTROL THEREFOR 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 8, 1949 Jan 19, 1954 H. E. KAMINKY 2,666,379

AUTOMATIC COFFEE URN AND CONTROL THEREFOR Filed June 8, 1949 3 Sheec's--Sheerl 5 Herbeffmgmzfy 57% f2s@ ym E@ Patented Jan. 19, 1954 UNITED STATES rarest ortica' A'iiolii-Affio corner: URN AND CONTROL THEREFOR Herbert Kaminky, Chicago; Ill.-,` assig to The' Superior Tea and Coffee Company,I Chicago,` Ill., a corporation of Illinoisv Application June 8', 1949, Serial No; 97,886"

i Claims.

This invention relates to an improved auto'- matic coifee urn ofv the type utilized in restaurants, hotelsand similari-nstitutions, and alsoV to anv improved control system for VcontrollingA the operation of the automaticv coii'ee'urn.Y

This application isa continuation-impart of a copending application of Herbert E. Kaminky, Serial No.`44,097, led August 13',- 13948; entitled Control for Auton'iatic-v Coffee Urn issued November! 22,V 1949,l as-4 United States Patent No. 2,488,817.

It is an object of thisinvention to` providea improved control system for a coffee urn of the automatic type.

A further object of this invention isthe provision of a control-system for a coffee urn wherein anI electrical water level detecting device operatesv in conjunction with relay elements to insure that a minimum water level will be maintained within thev water heating chamber of the coffee urn, and furthermore, to automatically fill the water heating 'chamber to a predetermined maximum level whenever the water level thereinfallsv to the aforementioned minimum level.

Still another objectv ofvthis invention is to provide a; novel control system for automatic coffee urns.

It-is a very important objectvof invention to provide a control system for an automatic coiee urn which is substantially riool-proof and which willsafely'operatetov uniformly brew coffee, irrespective of improper' control switch actuation that may be' inadvertently produced by an inexperienced operator.

Y The species nature. of thek invention,- asl wen as other objects and advantages thereof, will become apparent to thoseskilled inthe art-from the following detailed description of the annexed sheets ot drawings which,v by way `of preferred example only, illustrate onelspecific embodiment of the invention.

On-the drawings;

Figure 1 is a schematicv circuit diagram of a control system for automatic coffee urns embodying this invention;

vFigure 2 is anv automatic coffee urn constructed' in accordance with this invention and embodying the control circuit. of Figure 1 and illustrating the location of. theI control switches and indieating, lights thereof; and' Fig-ure 3- is' a schematic vertical section of the automatic coffee urn showing. certain of the principal' component parts.

As shown. on the drawingst' The control-'system embodying this invention netically as it passes thereby. For example; the" may be applied to' any one of a variety` of well known forms of coffee urns which are commercia-ilyY available. In a common form of such lcoffee* urns, an inverted T shape closed Water heating chamber 51 is provided aswell as a pair ofcoiee brewing chambers 6 and. l. vFreshA water is supplied to'- such heating chamber from an ordinary city water' supply line 99 through an electrically operated shut-'orf valve Vl which is of conventional construction-.iy

The level of waterv attained in the water heat# ing vchamber 5 is determined by afluid level re-n sponsive unit Tr whichv is herel shown as com'-Y I prising three float controlled switches Tl',v T21 and T3, respectively; which are operated; respectively, at the full level of water in the water heating chamber and at two lower levelsby a single oat H30' whiclfiv actuates the switches mag@ switch T2 may be operated at half-'full level, while the' switch T3 is operated at a substantially empty level of water in the water heating chamber. device 'I' may likewise' constitute any one of sev` eral Iwell4 known constructions', it preferably is constructed and operated4 in a manner similar toy that described and claimed ini my copending application, Serial No. 44,098; led August 13,- 194:81, now Patent- No. 2,524.26'11.- for Liquid Level` Electrical Transmitter. The switch'll openr when thef water heating chamber' is full'and thev switches T2 and T3 are also open. As'the water level falls' below' the predetermined actuating level of switches TI, 'I-'l closes, While T2- closes when theN fluid in chamber 5 isat the half-full leveland T3 closes when the iiuid is substantially at the empty level. The switch T2 closesA and opens at a position one andv 'one-half gal-lons below vfull position, whereas switch T3 closes and opensat a position three gallonsy below full posi-i tion. Y

A pressure switch PS is mounted in direct communication with the water' heating chamber and above the maximum water level thereof and is normally closed. in one position as the pressure increases and normally open in: thel other posil tion, and is arranged to-v close its contacts whenever the fluid pressure in such chamber attains a value commensurate to a temperature of the water therein which is proper for coifeebrewing purposes. The' pressure control switch operates substantially at one pound gauge pressure.

The switch returns tov position shown as theY pressure falls.` With a thermostatic control switch S8 in the control circuit when water While the water levely determining transfer set buttons Sii or S3 are set to transfer water, relay I opens a gas valve V4 to keep the urns boiling, thus cutting out the thermostat switch S3 which is set for 208 F. However, to prevent water transfer when the unit is cold, the other side of the water transfer circuit is controlled by the thermostat S8. The temperature must be at the high point of the thermostat or above to close the circuit to permit water transfer.

A pair of coffee brewing chambers 6 and (as may be seen best in Figure 3), are associated with the water heating chamber to receive hot water therefrom through `water transfer conduits I5! and EQ2 and spray heads lll and it, respectively, the water being sprayed into intimate contact with freshly ground coffee disposed in the brewing chambers S and l. Below brewing chambers E and l are glass jars |95 and m6, respectively, which receive the brewed coffee.

ln accordance with this invention, electrically operated valves are provided which control the transfer of hot water from the water heating chamber' into the coffee brewing chambers. In the particular example illustrated in the drawings, it is assumed that two such coffee brewing chambers are provided, and hence electrically operated valves V2 and V3, respectively, control the transfer of hot water to such chambers.

As will be later described in detail, the amount of hot water transferred from the water heating chamber to any particular coffee brewing chamber is determined by the difference in water volume corresponding to the full level position in the water heating chamber at which the level indicating switch TI operates and any selected one of the lower levels at which the level indicating switches T2 and T3, respectively, operate. The selection of the desired amount of water for transfer to the coffee brewing chambers is controlled by a manually operable selector switch S5 which has a number of positions equal to the number of low level switches. As shown, the selector switch S is manually operable between an upper position wherein the lowest level switch Ts is connected in the control circuit so that three gallons of water may be transferred, and a lower position wherein the intermediate level switch T2 is connected in the control circuit wherein one and one-half gallons of Water may be transferred to the coffee brewing chambers, respectively.

To manually effect the refilling of the water heating chamber wheneverV the water level therein drops below the full position, a manual control knob e is provided on the electrically operated valve Vi, Figures l and 2. To effect the selection of the particular coffee brewing chamber to which hot water will be transferred, a plurality of manually operated switches, equal in number to the number of coffee brewing chambers t and 'E are provided which are here shown as the switches S3 and S4, respectively, Figures 1 and 2. Lastly, a main off-on switch S! is provided, which controls the connection of the entire circuit to a suitable source of energizing potential indicated as the lines Ll and L2.

Referring to Figures l and 2, the control circuit is made up of several sub-assemblies, a center control circuit J, a relay rack assembly circuit K, a water level electrical detecting device circuit T, electrically operated valve circuits 3 and V '2 connected to the circuits of the relay rack assembly by the fixed disconnect plugs 9 and le provided with suitable male andV female connections. The center control circuits J are connected to the relay rack assembly by the quick disconnect plug connection il having suitable male and female connections illustrated by the reference characters a, b, c, d, e, f, g, and it. The circuit of the water level electrical detecting device T is connected to the circuit of the relay rack assembly K through a quick disconnect plug connection l2.

A power circuit Ll and L2 suitably connected to line voltage of 11D volts or 220 volts including aY transformer I3 for transforming power supply to 24 volts for energizing the control circuit and including the on-off switch Si and the manually operable selector switch S5 is connected to the circuit of the relay rack assembly K by a six wire cable It. Disconnect plugs I5 and V5 are provided with the terminals as shown to provide ready connection and disconnection of the cable lll to the circuit of the relay rack assembly K and the power circuit lvl. rThe electrical control circuit Vl of the water inlet valve Vl is connected to the terminals of the quick disconnect plug il of the power circuit lVi, as shown.

The gas valve control circuit N comprising the circuit of the gas valve Vc, the thermostat controlled switchV S8 and the pressure control Switch PS are connected to the six wire cable il to the relay rack assembly circuit K. Disconnect plugs i3 and i9, provided with the terminals corresponding to the six wire cable il supplies ease in connecting and disconnecting the circuit N to the circuit of the relay rack assembly.

The center control circuit J comprises the switches S3 and Sli which are normally biased closed instead of being biased normally open. The center control circuit J also comprises the indicating lights Lb and Lil which are preferably green to indicate when the corresponding set buttons SZ and Sil are manipulated to fill either of the chambers l and 6, respectively, to brew coee.

The switches S3 and Sli are connected together to conductors 25 and 26, and the conductor 25 is connected to the quick disconnect plug l I to the terminal c through the conductor 2 i.

Lights Ld, L3 and L5 are connected, respectively, to the terminals a-b, eli-e, g-h of the terminal blocky il by conductors 2'2-22, 23-23 and ifm-2li. Male and female terminal blocks form the quick disconnect plug li. Upon energization, the switch S4 is connected to the terminal b and also upon actuation of switch S3, the switch is connected to the terminal h of the quick disconnect plug i i.

lThe control circuit embodies nine relays one of which is a thermal control relay El and the other relays are indicated, respectively, by the letters A, B, C, D, E, F, Gr and .fill of the relays shown on the drawings have their contacts indicated in theirl normal position, corresponding to the deenergized condition of the relay. These relays are interconnected with the electrically-operated valves Vl through Vl, the water level indicating device T, the pressure switch PS and the various manually controled switches Si, SS, Sil, S5, Si", and S8, in the manner indicated in detail in Figure l of the drawings, and the following sequence of control operations may be produced.

Prior to describing the sequence of the control operation, the water transfer circuit, the interlocking circuit, the gas control circuit and the refill circuit connections will be briefly described.

The water transfer circuit comprises electrically controlled valves V2 and V3 including the conductors V2 and V3 connected to the relay raclrassembl'y K through the quick disconnect `plugs. Sand- IO, and theterminals I thereof are connected'through the conductor 35. The relay C has one contact CI thereof connected to the terminal 2 of the disconnect plug 9` through a conductor 33. The terminal BI of the relay B is connected; to the terminal 2 of the disconnect plug, Iii through a conductor 3i. The other terminals of the relays C and B are connected together through the conductors 32 and 33; The

contacts C2 andrBZ are'connected together at aV common point, as shown. The conductor 34' connects the common connection ofthe conductors 32 and 33 to thevterminal 4 of the quick disconnect plug I9. Conductor 35A connects the terminal 4 ofthe quick disconnect plug I8 to thenormally open position ofi thethermostat controlled switch S8. This circuit controls the temperature of the water transfer operation. Conductor 37 connects the conductor 35 to terminal 5 of the disconnect plug Iland conductor 38 connects the contact. 5 of the disconnect plug I8 in the` normally open position of the pressure control switch PS. This circuit controls the pressure of the water transfer operation. The circuit of these conductors of the quick disconnect plugs I3 and I9i are completed through the cable I'I.

The interlocking control cir-cuit permits setting of the push'` button switches S3 and Sii, respectively, for controlling thev right and left-hand water transfer valves V2 and V3 as follows. The switches S3 and Se are connected, respectively,` to the conductor 25 and the common conductor 2|; tothe terminal c ofthe quick disconnect plug II'. Conductor 39 connects the terminal c of the disconnect plug" Il in normally closed position of the relay D, which, in turn, is connected through the conductor'li with the terminal 2 of the disconnect plug I5. The otherside ofthe interlocking control circuit is connected to the 24-volt circuit beginning at terminalV I ofthe disconnect plug I 5- through conductors 4i, 4% and 43 to the conductors 44 and 44 through the contacts FI and G3 which control the interlock to prevent a double setting. The conductor 43 continues on and is connected to terminal Vd on the qui'ckdisconnect plug I l. positionof the con-tacts G3 and FI of the relays G and F areconnected together bythe conductors 44 and 46. The normally closed position. of the contact G3 of the relayG is connectedA to the relay F through the conductor 45. '.Relay G', through conductors 28 and 29, is connected to conductors 2Q and V2l. The terminals Iv and 2"' of the disconnectplug I5 forming the 2li-volt terminals L1 and Lz are connectedrespectively, throughthe cable I4 to similar terminals I and 2" of the'power circuit M which is energized from they transformer I3 ofthe 110 or 22o-volt power lines LI and L2 upon closure of the. on-ofl switch The gas control circuit comprising the solenoidoperated gas valvev Vill is operative from the 24- voltA circuit provided by the power circuit M. The commercially available gas valve known as X31-I gas. valve includes a manual pull rod 46. The manual control is is. usedl whenA thegas valve is not electrically operated, for example, as inv anemergency or for starting. The manual pull rod 4E as it is manually actuated opens. the gas valve V4 and closes the switch S3. by an eccentric connection. to the, normally opened switch S5; and, upon closure of the switch S5 when energized, it.YL trips out the manual controlV 45. It is not necessary totiip the manual. control: llt: to change.

TheY normally closedr from manual to automatic'control.. Thispreverrtsf manual control of the gas valve V4 when. the power is on.

The control relay I is connectedto the normally opened contacts B2 and C2 which are tied common to the relay band. C through the conductorl 41; The terminal 3 of the quick disconnect plug I9V is connected to the normally opened contact.

I3 of the control relay I by the conductor 48.. Upon actuation of either switch S3 or SlLrelay I is closed upon actuation of either relay B or C which would close contact B2 or C2. Upon clof.

sure of' contact I3, the gas valve V4 is opened through conductor 49.

contact I3 areA connectedto the normally closed position of the thermostaty controlled switch. S8. through the conductors 5t and 5I. The common.

terminals of the gas control valve circuit N` are` connected through the common cable l1 to simi.-

lar contacts of the quick disconnect plug I9. The. solenoid is actuated from the 2li-volt circuit byl the connection of the terminals I and 2. oi. the 2li-volt line Li andLfz connected to the discorrnect. plug I8.

The four relays B, C, F and G form the. elec-.-

trical interlock circuit. of which relays B andv CV are closed only when the unit is `below full.` This'` is a reversal from the circuit of the aforementioned copending application of which; this ap-Y plicationis a continuation-impart'. Also, in the aforementioned copending application, theswitch TI is normally opened, but in this improvement, switch TI is now normally closed. The refill re'- lay A, when the contacts, thereof are olosedactuates the inlet valve solenoidl VI'. The. thermostat controlled.Y switch SB in a normally closed position controls the'gas fla-me andI in the normal-ly opened position controls the4 water transfer valve circuit.` to prevent. cold. water transfer.

The. or 220-volt leads LII andV L2 are oper atively conneetedto asouroe of alternating our rent.; and, upon closure of thev oli-oh".- switch SI causes the energization4 of the indicating red lig-ht LIv ofthe. 2id-volt circuit energized' throughrtlli'etransformer I3.. The 24-volt'. circuit may be suit-- ably fused at 52'.' The closing of' the switchv S-I applies the reduced voltage of 24' vol-ts to the lines Ll and L'2 of the quick disconnectl plugs I5., I6, I8 and I9.

Assuming. that. the water heating chamber of the coffeeurn is. substantially empty of liquid at the time.v the ori-off switch. SIv is closed; the con-V tacts T2v and .T3fare both in theirv closed position. If the selector switchfSS is set to connect the lowermost liquid levels' switch T3 into the controlV The terminal 3 of the quick disconnect plugs I8 and. I9 connected to the the contact Eil of relay E, through the coil of relay A, through the contacts Tl energized from the contacts L1 and Lz. In detail, the energizing circuit for relay A may be traced as follows: Line L1 at disconnect plugs i5 and l5, conductor 4l, terminal l" of disconnect plug l2, full level switch Tl, terminal 2, solenoid of relay A, contact El of low level relay E, conductor 53, conductor 59, conductor Bil, conductor 4t, and line L2 at disconnect plugs i5 and l5.

The energization of relay A first effects a selflocking circuit for the coil or relay A upon the closing of its contact A! through the lines Li and Lz. In detail, the holding circuit or relay A may be traced as follows: Line L1 at disconnect plugs I6 and l5, conductor ill, terminal l of disconnect plug l2, full level switch Tl terminal 2", solenoid of relay A, contact Al, conductor l5, contact I2 of control relay l, conductor 5t, conductor Gil, conductor and line Lzat disconnect plugs I and It. In addition, energization of relay A closes the circuit through its Contact A2 and closure of this contact effects the energization of the water supply valve Vi through the closed contact A2 of the relay A and the coil of the supply valve Vi through its associated cirn cuit where the coil ci the supply valve Vi is con nected to the 2li-volt line voltage L1 and L'2.

The opening of the supply valve Vl, of course, produces a flow of fresh water into the water heating chamber of the urn and any slight increase in the water level in the urn effects the opening of the low level switch T3. Such opening of the contact T3 effects deenergization of relay E but has no effect upon energization of relay A which is locked in its energized condition by the closing of its contact Al. Hence, water will continue to be supplied to the heating charnber until the full or high level switch Ti oi liquid detecting device T is opened from its normally closed position. It is also to be noted that relay D is energized when the unit is below the full position and the Contact will be in position Dl with the contact Dl open. Upon the unit being filled, the relay D is deenergized and the switch takes the position to engage contact Dl as shown. This happens when the switch Tl, which is normally biased closed, opens upon the level of the liquid reaching the position of the switch Tl. Therefore, the utilization of the switch Ti normally Yclosed avoids the necessity of a normally energized relay. The operation of the relay D is just the reverse from the operation disclosed in the copending application where it was a continuous duty relay with the relay energized all the time the unit was full. This improved con struction, therefore, reduces burnout.

Water will continue to be supplied to the heating chamber until the full, high level, switch Tl of the liquid level detecting device T isrin the position in which it is opened. In this connection, it should be noted that the momentary closure of the intermediate level switch T2 will have no effect on the control circuit because this switch is disconnected from the circuit by the selector switch S5 being in the threegallon position as shown. lf switch S5 is not thrown to the three-gallon position or switch T3 is not closed by liquid level detecting device, thermal relay H will go into operation and after a predetermined delay trips relay A in the same manner as contact Ei of relay E. It is, therefore, apparent that when initially filling the urn from a completely empty condition, it is necessary that the selector switch S5 be at least momentarily connected to select the lowermost level switch T3 in order to initially energize relay E. If this does not trip rell relay A, the automatic relay H will, after a predetermined period. After the relay A is energized, the selector S5 may be shifted to its other position (l1/2 gallon) shown open at present in Figure 1 to select the intermediate level switch T2 with no effect upon the control operations heretofore described.

Upon the attainment of the full charge of the liquid in the water heating chamber urn, the full level switch Tl opens its contact and deenergizes the circuit for the coil of the relay D. This circuit may be readily traced from line L1 and to the opposite side of the circuit Lz. The armature of relay D then assumes the position shown in Figure l engaging the contact DI. Simultaneously with the deenergization of the relay D, relay A is deenergized. The deenergization of the relay A deenergizes the water inlet valve Vl. Hence, when the water heating chamber of the urn is filled with water, all relays are deenergized.

lf desired, an indicating light L3 may be connected in the circuit, effectively in parallel with solenoid of the inlet valve Vl and only shows when filling, and thus provides an indication wherever the filling operation is in progress. Light L3 is energized through the upper contact of relay A, and hence, when the relay A is deenergized upon opening of the switch Tl, the light L3 is deenergized.

ln the event that water is withdrawn from the water heating chamber for purposes other than brewing, the heating element H2 of the thermal relay il will be energized and after a predetermined period of substantially 45 seconds the thermostatic switch Hl will close to energize relay A. This, in turn, controls the water valve Vi to rell the urn, as previously described, to the level controlled by the switch TL It is apparent that the coil of relay A may be energized by the momentary closing of the thermal relay l-l and that once the relay A is energized, the holding circuit which is then completed will continue its energization until the water heating chamber is again lled with water up to the level corresponding to that of the full level switch Tl. Upon switch Ti being opened, relay A is deenergized.

Whenever it is desired to transfer heated water from the water heating chamber to one of a plurality of coiee brewing chambers, one of the manual switches S3 or S4 corresponding to the selected coffee brewing chamber is actuated. The closure of switch S3 effects the energization of relayer", B and l, and finally the energization of the solenoid control valve V2. Similarly, the closure of the manual switch S4 effects the energization of the relays G,'C and I, and the energization of the solenoid controlled valve V3. However, the circuit is so arranged that both valves V2 and V3 can never be concurrently energized. This is accomplished by interlocking connections between the relays F and B and the relays G and C which insures that when one set of relays is energized by the actuation of the corresponding switch, the other set cannot be energized until the water transfer operation into the selected brewing chamber has been completed. An additional safety factor is provided in the three-wire interconnection of the manual switches S3 and Sil in such manner that the simultaneous depression of both the switches S13 and Sil results in no control effects upon the remainder of the control circuits. Since the operation of the relays F and B and their interlocking effects on the relays G and C is identical to the operation of the relays G and C and their interlocking effects on the relays F and B, a detail description will be provided of the operation of only one set of relays, for example, the relays G and C following the actuation of switch S4.

The operation of the manual switch S4 completes an energization of the circuit for vthe relay G which may be traced as follows: Line Li, through the upper stationary contact Fl of relay F to coil of relay G, then through lower contact of S4, upper contact of contact S3, upper contact DI of relay D, back to line Lz.

The energization of relay G rst effects a selflocking circuit for the coil of relay G upon the closing of its contact G2. Tracing from the coil of relay G, the circuit is as follows: Conductory 28 to conductor 21 to conductor 55 to contact. G2. Upon the closing of armature contact, the circuit is traced through conductors 56, 51 to closed contact E2 of 'relay E. Contact E2 is connected to line Lz through conductors 58, 59, 60 to 40 completing the circuit.

The energization of relay G, in turn, effects the energization of relay C as they 'are connected in parallel by a common conductor 21. The other side of relay coil C is directly to L'1 by conductor 6I. The circuit is further traced through conductors 43, 42 and 4I to contact I of disconnect plug I5. A

The completion of such self-locking circuit assures that only a monientaryfactuation of the manual switch S4 is required to establish the water transfer operation, and once started, the water transfer operation will proceed irrespective of subsequent inadvertentv release or re-operation of either the manual switch S4 or the manual switch S3.

The energization of the relay C completes an energization circuit for the solenoid of the electrically operated valve V3 through the contacts of the pressure switch PS. If the Water heating.-

' through conductor 62 to movable contact of pressure switch S1 through lower stationary contact of pressure switch S1, conductor 38, point 5 of disconnect plug I3 through cable I1, disconnect plug. I9, conductor 31 to common wire 35v of V2 and V3.

Starting from line L'1 of disconnect plug I8, the other side of circuit is completed as follows: From point I of plug I8, the circuit is traced through conductor 63, to center contact of thermostat switch S8, its normally opened contact which is now closed, to conductor 36, point 4 of plug I8, cable I1 to plug I9, point 4, conductor 34, conductor 32, and common contacts BI and CI.

Since relay lC has been energized and locked closed, the circuit is completed through armature contact of relay CV to conductor 30, plug 9, point 2, cable V3 and through valve V3 energizing the valve when temperature Iand correct.

pressure are The energization of relay C also controls the refill circuit through control relay I. TheY relay I is energized. The-circuit for controlling relay I The.

yfrom relay C or B may be traced as follows:

Starting from L1 of receptacle I5, the circuit is through conductors 4I, 42, 43, 64 which is common to both relays B and C, points B2 and C2. From the other side of relays B and C, armature contacts B2 and C2 are connected through conductors 65, 66 to the coil of relay I. Line Lz connects Vdirectly to the coil of relay I through conductors 61, 60 and 40 to contact 2' of disconnect plug I5. Upon closing of contact II, relay I changes the rell circuit from direct connection to line Lz to controlling of line L'z by normally closed contact of switch S1.

yAt the time when the unit is transferring water, the normally closed Contact of switch S1 is open. This opens line Lz to the rell circuit to prevent refilling during the water transfer operation. This circuit may be traced as follows:` Starting from Lz of disconnect plug I 8, point 2, the circuit is through conductor 62, through center contact of switch S1, normally closed contact of switch S1, conductor 68, to point 6 of plug I8, cable I1, contact 6 of plug I9, conductor 69 to contact II of relay I (now closed).

Hence, there is no possibility of water being concurrently supplied to the water heating chamber while hot water is being removed therefrom through either of the transfer valves V2 or V3. In this manner, it is assured that. any excessive water is not transferred to any coffee brewing chamber. Also V3 or V2 cannot be operated -unless thermostat switch S8 is up to temperature to shift S8 from position shown thus preventing cold water transfer.

Water transfer is not only controlled by the movable cont-actSl of pressure control switch PS which is set to trip at approximately one pound gauge pressure but is also controlled by the thermostat switch S8. The temperature control S3 is connected to the interlock relay B or C whichever is energized, and when the temperature is abov'e some predetermined point such as 208 F., it will 'permit water transfer.

Water continues to be transferred to the selected coffee brewing chamber through the valve V3 until the water level in the heating chamber drops to the level of the selected lower level switch T2 or T3 as the case may be. Incidentally, the initial lowering of the water level and the subsequent closing of the full level switch contact TI has no effect uponthe condition of the control circuit, since the relay G has heretofore accomplished a self-locking circuit for itself through the normally closed contact E2 of the relay E. However, when the selected low level switch (here assumed to be T2) is operated to close its contacts, the relay E is energized and the locking circuit for the relay G is broken, thus deenergizing relay G and concurrently deenergizing relays IC and I, and hence closing solenoid valve V3. At the same time, the energization of relay E effects the initiation of the rell cycle of operations which was heretofore described.

If desired, indicating lights L5 and L4 may be provided to respectively indicate that a parthe manual switch S3, an exactly analogous V'series of control actions are produced with renection with the operation of the relays G and C, pressure switch PS, thermostat controlled switch S8 and the valve V3. It will also be noted that as described with respect to valve V3 water transfer is controlled by both the thermostat SS and pressure control switch PS. It is important to note, however, that the interlocking of these two relay circuits completely precludes the possibility of more than one water transfer valve being open at any one time.

From the foregoing description, it is apparent that the control circuit of this invention not only assures the automatic and convenient maintenance of the water in the heating chamber at the prescribed full level therein, but insures that a uniform brew of coffee may be selectively produced in any one of the plurality of coffee brewing chambers. The amount of water transferred to any particular coffee brewing rchamber is always the same predetermined volume, depending entirely upon the Volume of water in the water heating chamber which will reduce the level thereof from the full level, corresponding to the switch Tl, to the level of the particular selected low level switch T2 or T3. Furthermore, the described circuit is completely fool-proof and will not malfunction even though the operator inadvertently attempts to operate the transfer switches S3 or Sli during the water filling operation. Hence, there is no possibility of flooding of either the main heating chamber or any of the brewing chambers and the apparatus is completely safe, even in the hands of an inexperienced operator.

The thermal relay is incorporated in the circuit, having time delay response characteristics, and this relay is so connected as to function to automatically initiate the refilling operation any time that the water level in the water heating chamber drops below the level corresponding to the full level switch Tl. The thermal relay H is adapted to actuate within a predetermined time, preferably with a time delay of substantially 45 seconds which is sufficient to permit withdrawal of hot water for example for making cocoa or for any other purpose for which it is desired to use hot water before the thermostat Hl closes and sets the refill relay A, which, in turn, controls the circuit to fill the hot water tank through the actuation of the valve Vl and associated components.

The relay H is preferably of any conventional type having time delay response characteristics for the reason that it is not desirable for water to be immediately added to the water heating chamber upon the slightest drop of the water level therein from the full level. it will be understood that the water transfer operation through either of the valves V2 or V3 for coffee brewing purposes cannot be initiated until full water level is restored in the water heating chamber and the proper pressure is produced therein to close the contact pressure switch PS.

It need only be pointed out that the energizing coil H2 of the time delay relay H, is energized at any time that the relay I is deenergized, which condition exists at allV times when the f level of the water in the main heating chamber is below the full level. After a predetermined time delay, the relay H operates to close its contacts HI which complete an energization circuit for the relay A.

4From Figure l, it will be observed that the energizing circuit for relay H may be traced as follows: Line L1 at disconnect plugs i6 and i5, conductor el, terminal l" of disconnect plug i2, full level switch Tl, terminal 2, energizing coil H2 of time delay relay H, conductor ifi, contact I2 of control relay I, conductor 59, conductor Sii, conductor 40, and line L'z at disconnect plugs i5 and I6.

Thus, the energizing circuit for relay H is under the control of full level switch Ti at all times. Relay H may only be energized when the water in heating chamber 5 is below the predetermined full level, since the contacts of switch Tl are normally closed, but open when the water reaches the full level to open the energizing circuit for relay H.

Having described in detail the electrical circuit of this invention, the structure of the automatic coffee urn with respect to the relation thereof of certain control mechanism of the electrical circuit will be described with reference to Figures l, 2 and 3.

The complete coffee urn comprises a number of readily assembled component parts. While the detailed physical construction of these component parts forms no part of the present invention, it may be pointed out that in general the unit includes a body portion 80 which sets on a base 8i having a plurality of, legs 82. A gas manifold 8e is supported by one or more strap brackets S3 from the base 8i. This manifold 8d is provided with burners e5 positioned below the hot water heating chamber as shown in Figure 3. Side or auxiliary housing members Bt and 8l are provided on opposite sides of the unit to provide suitable protective housings forv various component parts of the control apparatus. The gas valve Vt, the pressure control switch PS and the thermostat S8 are conveniently mounted on the left side of the urn under housing 8%. The inlet valve Vl, the transformer i3 and a strainer 88 are mounted within the housing 3l. The onoff switch Si, the 11/2 and 3 gallon switch S5 and the light Ll which indicates red when the switch Si is on are mounted on the housing 8?.

The urn is provided with a top center portion 89 upon which a safety valve 9i is mounted and connected to the central water heating chamber 5.

The conventional body accessories and fittings such as covers 92, collars 93 and jars IUS and ltd for each of the coffee brewing chambers are also provided. Each of the coffee jars H35 and IDB is provided with a sight glass 94 and a faucet 95. The water chamber 5 is also provided with a sight glass 96 andF faucet 91, all of which are conventional.

lThe manifold assembly includes the gas valve V4 provided with a low flame needle adjustment, manual shut-off (not shown) together c with a manual pull wire 46 and `a manifold supstrainer 88.

ply line connection 98'.

As maybe seen in Figure 1, the inlet assembly comprises the inlet valve Vl provided with a manual control il and to which is attached the There is also provided two water transfer assemblies comprising the valve V2 and V3 which are attached to their respective conventional spray heads HDS and HB5 (Figure 3) for each of the coffee urns.

The on-off panel assembly includes the transformer I3, and the fuse extractor post l5.

The control assembly comprises the water transfer switches S3 and VSli together with the respective Water transfer lights L5 and L4 and refill light L3.

The relay rack is positioned behind the center control panel 8!! and beneath the center portion 89 and includes all the control relays assembled thereon identified by K of Figure 1 and includes the relays A, I, D, E .and H, respectively, the rell relay, the control relay, the full relay, the 10W level relay and the thermal time delay. The -relay rack also has mounted thereon four relays F and B and G and C forming the four relays in electrical interlock in which the switch S3 controls the relays F and G, and the switch S4 controls the relays B and C.

The water level responsive unit T is a separate assembly mounted in the water chamber as disclosed and claimed in the copending application of Herbert E. Kaminky, Serial No. 44,098, liled August 13, 1948, now Patent No. 2,524,261.

The pressure control switch PS and the thermostat controlled switch S8 are also yprovided .by separate assemblies.

From the above description, it will be apparent that I have provided an automatic coffee making apparatus which is extremely reliable and extremely eiective. The water heating chamber is provided with an automatic control whereby the level of the Water therein is always maintained at a predetermined level. Anyvwater drawn from the body is replenished Within a predetermined time delay. The refilling operation is only prevented during an actual water transfer operation from the water heating chamber to one of the coiee brewing chambers. Thedelivery of a measured quantity of water at a proper coffee brewingI temperature is effected by selectively pushing one of the two push buttonY A switches S3 and S4. Indicating lights give a visual indication of what operation is taking place. Once the water transfer operation commences it cannot be changed other than by deenergizing the on-off switch Sl. When this is done, water transfer will stop and after a predetermined time delay, the water heating chamber will again be refilled automatically. A normal waterttransfer operation continues until a measured quantity of water has been permitted to ilow from the water heating chamber to one of the coffee brewing chambers. By the incorporation of both a pressure control PS, as well as thermostat control SS, it is `apparent that provision is made to insure Ya complete measured quantity of water to the coiTee brewing chambers and at the same time prevents inadvertent cold water transfer.

It will, of course, be understood that various details of construction may be modified through a wide range .without departing lfrom the principles and teaching-s of the present invention.

I claim as my invention:

1, A coffee maker comprising a closed water heating chamber, a coffee brewing chamber, a water transfer conduit connecting said heating chamber to said brewing chamber, an electrically operated shut-off valve in said conduit, a thermal responsive device responsive to a predetermined temperature of the water in said water heating chamber including a switch, a pressure responsive device responsive to a predetermined pressure within said water heating chamber including aswitch, an actuating circuit vfor said ,shut-on valve controlled by both said thermal responsive switch and said pressure responsive 'I switch, said switches both being actuated by the water within said heating chamber beingabove said predetermined temperature and by there being said predetermined pressure within said heating chamber.

2. A coffee maker comprising a closed water heating chamber, a coffee brewing chamber, a waterV transfer conduit connecting said heating Vchamberto said brewing chamber, an electrically operated shut-01T valve in said conduit, an actuating circuit for said shut-oil valve, rst relay means having normally open contacts in said actuating circuit and having a further pair of normally open contacts, a manual switch for controlling the actuating circuit of said rst relay means, control relay means having an actuating circuit controlled by said further normally open pair of contacts and having a pair of normally open contacts, an electrically operated water supply valve for controlling introduction of water into said heating chamber, an actuating circuit for said Water supply valve including said normally open contacts of said control relay means, a thermal responsive device responsive to a predetermined temperature of the water insaid water heating chamber including a switch having normally open contacts in said shut-01T valve actuating circuit, a pressure responsive device responsive to a predetermined pressure within said water heating chamber including a switch having normally closed contacts in said water supply valve actuating circuit and having normally open contacts in said actuating circuit for said shut-oli valve, whereby when said manual switch is actuated to actuate said nrst relay means, said control relay means is actuated so that said water supply valve actuating circuit is controlled by said normally closed. contacts of said pressure responsive device, and when the pressure in the heating chamber builds up to said predetermined pressure, said pressure switch cuts in the water transfer shutoff valve and cuts out said Water supply valve actuating circuit to prevent refilling during the water transfer operation.

f 3. A coffee maker comprising a closed water heating chamber, a coffee brewing chamber, a water transfer conduit connecting said heating chamber to said brewing chamber, an electricalli7 operated shut-oir valve in said conduit, an actuating circuit for said shut-off valve, transfer relay means controlling said shut-o valve actuating circuit, means for actuating said transfer relay means, control relay means having an actuating circuit controlled by saidv transfer relay means for actuation of said control relay means upon actuation of said transfer relay means, an electrically operated rell valve for controlling introduction of waterv into said heating chamber, a rell valve actuating circuit controlled by said control relay means, a pressure responsive device responsive to a .predetermined pressure within said water heating chamber including a switch having normally closed contacts in said refill valve actuating circuit and having normally `open contacts in said shut-ofi valve actuatinT circuit, whereby when said actuating means for said transfer relay means is operated, said rell valve actuating circuit is completed through .said control relay means and said normally closed contacts of said pressure Switch, and when the pressur-e in said heating chamber builds up to said predetermined pressure, said pressure switch cuts out said rell valve actuating circuit and cuts in said actuating circuit for said shut-off .valve through said normally open contacts of said Dressure switch.

4. In combination in a collec maker having a brewing chamber and a water heating chamber and an electrically operated het water transfer valve controlling transfer ofl water from heating chamber to said brewing chamber, an actuating circuit for said hot water transfer valve, transfer relay means controlling said actuating circuit, a thermal responsive device responsive to a predetermined temperature of the water in said water heating chamber including a switch having normally closed contacts and having norl mally open contacts controlling said actuating circuit for said hot water transfer' valve, means for heating the water in said heating chambal an actuating circuit for said heating means including said normally closed contacts of said thermal responsive device, a further actuating circuit for said heating means by-passing said thermal responsive device switch, control relay means controlling said further actuating circuit and having an actuating circuit controlled by said transfer relay means, whereby actuation of said transfer relay means actuates said control relay means to complete said further actuating circuit for said heating means to heat said water while said thermostat is actuated to open said normally closed contacts thereof during transfer of water from said heating chamber,

5. A coffee maker comprising a heating chamber having an electrically operated hot waiter transfer valve for controlling transfer water from said chamber, a water level detecting device having a first switch operated at a predetermined low water level and a second switch operated at a predetermined higher water level, iirst relay means controlling said water transfer valve and having an energizing circuit controlled said second switch to prevent opening of said water transfer valve by said first relay means until water has reached said predetermined higher level in said chamber, means for completing a locked energization circuit for said first relay means independent of said second switch to maintain said first relay means energized during transfer of water from said heating chamber, control relay means having an actuating circuit controlled by said first relay means, an electrically operated gas valve, a gas burner connected to said gas valve for heating water in said chamber, an actuating circuit for said gas valve controlled by said control relay means to supply gas to said burner during transfer of water from said char ber, and second relay means controlling said locked energization circuit for said rst relay means and having an actuating circuit controlled by said first switch, whereby upon water reaching said predetermined low level in qaid chamber, said second relay means will be operative to deenergize said rst relay means to close said water transfer valve and to actuate said control relay means.

6. In combination in a codec maker having a water heating chamber and an electrically operated cold water filling valve for controlling introduction of water into said heating chamber, a water level detecting device having a full level switch with normally closed contacts operable to open said contacts at a predetermined full water level in said chamber, and a low level switch with normally closed contacts operable to open said contacts at a predetermined low water level, first relay means having an energizing circuit including in series said normally closed contacts of said low level switch, second relay means having an energizing circuit controlled by normally open contacts of said ii'rst `relay means and said normally closed contacts of said full level switch, a holding circuit for said second relay means independent of said normally open contacts of said first relay means but including said normally closed contacts of said full level switch, an energizing circuit for said cold water inlet valve controlled by normally open contacts of said second relay means, said second low level switch opening when water in said chamber rises to said predetermined low water level, said holding circuit maintaining said second re- Vlay means energized, said full level switch with normally closed contacts opening when said water in said chamber reaches said predetermined full water level to break said holding circuit and deenergize said second relay means to open said energizing circuit for said cold water inlet valve to close said valve.

'7. In Vcombination in a coifee maker having a water'heating chamber and a plurality Vof coffee brewing chambers, a plurality of electrically operated water transfer valves respectively controlling the transfer of water from said heating chamber to said brewing chambers, relays respectively controlling the energization of said water transfer valves, a pressure control switch in circuit with said transfer valves, a manual switch for controlling each relay, an electrically operated reiill valve controlling introduction of water into said water heating chamber, a refill circuit controlling actuation of said refill valve, an inter-locking circuit and a control relay means controlling said reilll circuit whereby when one of the manual switches is set to transier water, the refill circuit is controlled by the inter-locking circuit and the control relay so that the pressure control switch controls the refill operation, and when the pressure in said chamber builds up to a predetermined value, the aforesaid pressure control switch cuts in the water transfer valves and cuts out the rell circuit to prevent filling during the water transfer operation, an electrically controlled gas valve operatively connected to keep the water in said chamber boiling, and a thermostat controlled switch responsive to a predetermined temperature in said water heating chamber and having normally open contact in circuit with said transfer valves to prevent transfer of water from said heating chamber when the water is below said Y predetermined temperature and having normally closed contacts in circuit with said gas valve to actuate said gas valve when the temperature of the water in said chamber is below said predetermined temperature, and a gas valve actuating circuit by-passing said thermostat controlled switch controlled by said control relay, whereby when the manual .switch is set to transfer water,vthe control relay opens the gas valve to heat the water in said chamber to boiling, `thus cutting out the thermostat controlled switch.

8. A coifee maker comprising a water heating chamber, a coffee brewing chamber, a water transfer valve controlling the transfer of water from said heating chamber to said brewing chamber, an actuating circuit for water transfer valve, transfer relay means for actuation to close a first pair of contacts in said transfer valve actuating circuit and to close a .second pair of contacts, a manual switch for controlling actuation of said transfer relay means. control relay means for actuation to close a third pair of contacts and having an actuating circuit controlled by said second pair of contacts, an electrically operated water supply valve controlling refilling of said heating chamber, an actuating circuit for said water supply valve including said third pair of contacts, a condition sensitive means responsive to a predetermined condition of said water heating chamber to close a fourth pair of contacts in said transfer valve actuating circuit and to open a iifth pair of contacts in said supply valve actuating circuit, whereby when said manual switch is actuated to actuate. said transfer relay means, said control relay means is actuated and said third pair of contacts is closed so that the supply valve actuating circuit is controlled by said fifth pair of contacts, and when said predetermined condition is present in saidheating chamber, said condition sensitive means closes said fourth pair of contacts to complete the transfer valve actuating circuit and open said fth pair of contacts to prevent relling during water transfer operation.

9. In combination in a coffee maker having a heating chamber, a water level detecting device having a full level switch operable to open normally closed contacts at a predetermined high level of water in said chamber, and a low level switch with normally closed contacts operable to open said contacts at a predetermined low level of water in said heating chamber, an electrically operated cold water inlet valve controlling introduction of water into said heating chamber and having an actuating circuit, a low level relay means having an energizing circuit including in series said normally closed contacts of said low level switch, a refill relay means having an energizing circuit controlled by said low level relay means and having a holding circuit controlled by said normally closed contact of said low level switch, said refill relay means being energized upon energization of said low level relay means, and said refill relay means closing contacts in said cold water inlet valve actuating circuit to open said cold water inlet valve, said low level relay means being deenergized by opening of said normally closed contacts of said low level switch when water reaches said predetermined low level in said heating chamber, and said normally closed contacts of said full level switch opening When water in said chamber reaches said predetermined high level to break the holding circuit for said refill relay means and denergize said rell relay means, full level relay means having a pair of normally closed contacts and having an actuating circuit controlled by said normally closed contacts of said full level switch, an electrically operated hot water transfer valve controlling transfer of water from said heating chamber and having an actuating circuit including said normally closed contacts of said full relay means, said full level relay means being energized when the water in said heating chamber is below said predetermined high level through the normally closed contacts of said full level switch, but when the water reaches the predetermined high level, said full relay means is deenergized to close its normally open contacts in said hot water transfer valve actuating circuit to accommodate energization of said hot water transfer valve, said low level relay means, said refill relay means, and said full level relay means all being deenergized when water is at said predetermined high level in said heating chamber.

10. A coffee maker comprising a heating chamber having an electrically operated hot water transfer valve for controlling transfer of water from said chamber and having an actuating ciris cuit, a water level detecting device having a nrst switch operated at a predetermined low level and a second switch operated at a predetermined higher water level, first relay means controlling said water transfer valve actuating circuit and having an energizing circuit controlled by said second switch to prevent opening of said water transfer valve by said first relay means until water has reached said predetermined higher level in said chamber, means for completing a locked energization circuit for said iirst relay means independent of said second switch to maintain said first relay means energized during transfer of water from said heating chamber, control relay means having an actuating circuit controlled by said first relay means, second relay means controlling said locked energization circuit for said first relay means and having an actuating circuit controlled by said rst switch, whereby upon water reaching said predetermined low level in said chamber, said second relay means will be operative to deenergize said first relay means to close said water transfer valve and to actuate said control relay means, said control relay means being operable to open a first pair of contacts and to close a second pair of contacts upon actuation during transfer of water from said heating chamber, an electrically operated refill valve controlling introduction of Water into said heating chamber and having an actuating circuit, rell relay means controlling said refill valve actuating circuit and having a rst actuating circuit controlled by said rst pair of contacts to prevent energization thereof during transfer of water from said heating chamber, and having a second actuating circuit including said second pair of contacts, and condition sensitive transfer control switch means operable to open a third pair of contacts in said second refill relay means actuating circuit when a predetermined condition exists in said heating chamber suitable for transfer of water from said chamber and operable to close a fourth pair of contacts in said Water transfer valve actuating circuit, whereby said second refill relay means actuating circuit is controlled by said condition sensitive transfer control switch means to prevent rell when said predetermined condition exists in said heating chamber and said control relay means is actuated.

HERBERT E. KAMINKY.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,346,898 Kingsbury July 20, 1920 1,581,758 Morris Apr. 20, 1926 1,688,092 Smith Oct. 16, 1928 1,694,492 Tabler Dec. 11, 1928 1,722,603 Turner July 30, 1929 1,822,433 Brand Sept. 8, 1931 1,869,720 Strand et al. Aug. 2, 1932 2,340,070 McCauley et al Jan. 25, 1944 2,367,851 Eaton Jan. 23, 1945 2,394,885 Baak Feb. 12, 1946 2,422,974 Newell June 24, 1947 2,487,933 Martin Nov. 15, 1949 2,488,817 Kaminky Nov. 22, 1949 2,493,932 Swanson Jan. 10, 1950 2,544,836 Hotvedt Mar. 13, 1951 2,549,575 Conley Apr. 17, 1951 2,568,840 Zees Sept. 25, 1951 

